A Different Sort of Matthew

Unless you have been living under a rock somewhere, you’re probably familiar with the Christian series, The Chosen. It began as a whisper, and has grown into something else entirely. I’m not sure what, the verdict is still out on that one for me.

The Chosen is about Jesus, but not just Him. The creators have taken liberty in their portrayal of all His Chosen apostles. Much of what we think we know about the Apostles come from either religious works of art or Hollywood. My favorite Apostle has always been Peter. I saw him as a big, burly man who was outspoken and unfiltered. And maybe even a little tarnished around the edges, not at all sophisticated or even educated. Mel Gibson’s The Passion reaffirmed my concept of Peter beautifully. The Chosen’s Peter is hardly that – he’s smart, and cunning. He’s also younger than most of us have imagined. When it comes to the Chosen, the characters are vastly different than what most of us have come to accept. None more so than Matthew.

For one thing, Matthew is much younger than the images portrayed in art. More controversial is that The Chosen’s Matthew is clearly on the Autistic Spectrum. Some have found that unsettling, although I’m not sure why. While we will never truly know if this is fact or fiction, it does explain a great deal about him. Matthew’s gospel is longer than the others, with a great attention to every little detail. We know that Matthew did well financially as a tax collector, and yet he simply walked away without any hesitation. This tells us that it wasn’t about the money. That gives us a glimps into why he was a tax collector and why he walked away so easily. Matthew longed to be accepted for who he was. He had a head for numbers, and a keen eye for detail. Working as a tax collector put these skills to use. Tax collectors were not well received, and this choice in an occupation tells us Matthew was probable already an outcast in social circles. It’s not a far leap to see him on the spectrum.

The fact that Jesus chose a social outcast, who was clearly “not right” tells us that God doesn’t care how broken others may see you, He sees you whole. Everyone has a purpose in His plan. Even those who sin – especially those who sin. While Matthew is portrayed as someone on the spectrum, it does not change the fact that he made his livelihood using his gifts for his own profit and gain. Jesus showed him that there was a greater purpose for his existence, and a greater good for his particular skills. Matthew has given us one of the best accounts of Jesus’ life, in beautiful detail, that we might all come to follow Him.

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Sometimes the most simple of suppers can be some of the most memoriable. While there was noting special about this meal, time spent with my family is precious. And I thank God each day for the life He has blessed me with. We might not be wealthy in worldly things, but we are rich in love and filled with joy from above. What more can there be?

Simple London Broil with Mushroom Sauce
1-1/2 lb London Broil
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
14 White Mushrooms
1/4 Yellow Onion
2 tablespoons Butter
1 (10 oz) can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/4 cup Beef Stock
2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce

Season steak on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Place steak on a broiler pan and let rest for 20 minutes to warm for even broiling.

Clean, stem and slice mushrooms, set aside. Cut onion in half, then half again. Peel and dice a quarter of the onion, set aside.

Adjust rack in the oven so that the broiler pan will be 5-inches from heat source. Heat broiler element. Broil steak until desired doneness in achieved, turning half-way through.

Note: Broil for about 6 minutes per side for medium-rare, 8 minutes for medium.

Remove steak from broiler, tent with foil and let rest for 8 minutes for the juices to settle.

While the steak broils and rests, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook mushrooms with onions until tender and the liquid release has almost evaporated, stirring often. Add soup, beef stock and Worcestershire Sauce. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Keep warm.

To serve, place steak on a serving platter and thinly slice steak diagonally across the grain. Fan out slightly, drizzle with some of the mushrooms sauce. Serve remaining sauce on the side to use as desired.

Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
3 lbs Red Potatoes
4 Garlic Cloves
4 tablespoons Butter
3/4 cup Milk
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
2 Green Onions

Scrub potatoes, dice into small cubes, leaving skins on. Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with about a half-an-inch of water. Peel garlic, add to the potatoes. Bring to a boil, let cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Add butter and milk to the pot used to boil the potatoes, place over low heat and warm. Return potatoes with garlic to the pot. Mash with a ricer until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Snip green onion, scatter over the mashed potatoes, then gently fold in for more color. Serve and enjoy.

Buttery Shallot Peas
1 can Young Peas
1 Shallot
1 tablespoon Butter

Drain peas, place in a sauce pan. Peel and finely mince shallot, scatter over peas. Top with butter. Warm over medium low heat. Stir just before serving.

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Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but the sinners – Matthew 9:13